We recently connected with Elsian Atienza and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Elsian, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

The first time I knew I wanted to pursue a career as a musical artist was when I performed in front of my entire school for a talent show. I played the ukulele, and as I sang, I felt a deep connection with the audience. At that moment, I knew I was meant to be on stage, and it was one of the first times I felt like I truly belonged in this world.

Fast forward to college, I was at the University of Washington, struggling to figure out who I was and what truly made me happy. While cleaning my room one day, I came across my ukulele, which I hadn’t played in a while. I picked it up and starting playing again, and that moment was like rediscovering a part of myself. I decided that I wanted to get back into music and started watching tutorials on YouTube on how to produce and began recording my own songs in my bedroom. I posted some clips on TikTok and to my surprise, people started noticing and enjoying my music. This was a huge moment in my journey and the beginning of LCN!

I also remember getting a DM from someone that said “One of your songs really saved me.” That message hit me deeply and reminded me of the real impact music can have. It pushed me to keep going, knowing that my art could actually make a difference in someone’s life and help them through tough moments.

Another defining moment was during my first concert. Backstage, just five minutes before going on stage, I was filled with emotions. There were hundreds of people waiting to hear me perform, and I remember telling myself, “Wow, you did it. You’re actually doing this.” That moment was surreal and solidified my belief that music was the path I was meant to take professionally. It was one of those “this is real” experiences that made me fully realize my passion for performing.

All these moments added up, each one reinforcing that music and creativity were my true path. They were the stepping stones that led me here, and I am so grateful for every single one of them.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Elsian and I go by the artist name LCN! I am a Filipino singer / songwriter based in Seattle, Washington. My music blends indie pop, R&B, and electronic influences, drawing inspiration from personal experiences, relationships, and self discovery. Every song I create is a reflection of my journey, whether it’s about love, growth, or finding my place in the world.

I love pushing my creative boundaries and take pride in making music that feels fresh, yet deeply personal. Performing live is one of the most rewarding parts of my career. There’s nothing like hearing a crowd sing my lyrics back to me, it reminds me that music has the power to connect us.

Since starting my musical career in 2023, I have had the honor of opening for artists Jimmy Brown, Car, the Garden, Janine, on their North American tours. This spring, I will be an opener for Pity Party (Girls Club). In 2024, I signed with 88rising, a moment that marked a huge step in my journey. I have also performed at Seattle Pride Festival and Capitol Hill Block Party, and earlier this year, I sold out my first headline show in Seattle.

What sets me apart is my ability to be authentic and vulnerable in my music. I want my listeners to feel seen, whether they relate to my lyrics about love and heartbreak or my journey of self discovery. I also take pride in my Filipino heritage, and I hope to inspire other artists from my community to embrace their identities and chase their dreams.

One thing that makes my journey even more special is my team. It’s just me, my brother (who is my photographer), my sister (who manages me), and a close friend who recently became my producer. We work together to bring my vision to life, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Also, the story behind my stage name is that in school, my classmates and teachers always mispronounced my name, Elsian, so I started writing “LCN” on my papers, and it just stuck.

Currently, I am working on my first EP and I am excited to release more new music as well as perform at more shows this year. I am always evolving and each step in my career feels like a new chapter. At the end of the day, my goal is simple, to create music that connects with people and makes them feel something. I am so grateful for the support I’ve received so far and I can’t wait to share what’s next!

How did you build your audience on social media?

I started building my audience on social media by posting covers on YouTube. It started as something I did just for fun, but over time I began gaining subscribers, and more people started listening and supporting my music.

What really helped me grow was TikTok. In 2022, I started posting singing clips, covers, and content to promote my own music. The more I posted, the more my songs were discovered, and my following kept growing. 88rising actually discovered me through TikTok. They came across a clip of my song “COLOR ME PRETTY” and started following my music from there.

Before my music career, I was actually a content creator making anime edits. When I shifted to music, some of that audience stuck around, which gave me a strong foundation to build on. This showed me that growing a fanbase isn’t just about sticking to one thing, it’s about making real connections with people, no matter what kind of content you create.

For anyone starting out, my biggest advice is to be consistent and have fun with it. Social media is always changing, and you never know what’s going to take off, so experiment with different types of content and see what resonates with your audience. Show your personality, be authentic, and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Every post is a step closer to building your audience!

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist for me is the connection I get to create with others through my music. Whether it’s performing live and seeing the crowd sing my lyrics back to me or hearing someone tell me how my song made them feel understood, it’s those moments that remind me why I do what I do. Music has this incredible power to bring people together and make them feel something. Knowing that something I created can have that kind of impact is what keeps me going. It’s like sharing a piece of myself with the world and hearing that others resonate with it, and that connection is priceless.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3ZJgVLQXKogqP64D9c7ULt?si=HedM9l3MTxmd3gdHh8dnMA&nd=1&dlsi=a6363100a9d744a2
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whoislcn
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/elsian

Image Credits

Casiano Atienza